Saturday, February 11, 2017

A Heart Shaped Box

To love, that power of the universe, in all its forms and
frames. Last year for Valentine’s Day, I
explored the likely origins of this commercialized holiday, with a slightly
cynical eye. If that wasn’t enough, I
even objectified it completely into mathematical geometrical formulas. You might have enjoyed my observations, they
were rather entertaining. But don’t get
the wrong idea from all that, I’m really a sentimental fool. To prove it, I’ll embrace this year’s
Valentine’s Day full on, with the perfect puzzle box and love potion
pairing. There’s no chance you won’t be
smitten.

Valentine's Day by Tatsuo Miyamoto

There are many heart-shaped puzzle boxes to choose from,
including the Love Box No. 5 by Akio Kamei which I featured this time last
year. Tatsuo Miyamoto, another long-time
Karakuri Creation Group artist, has also created a few such boxes, but he even
went so far as to name his most recent one the “Valentine’s Day” box. So of course, that’s the one we need to
discuss. How could we not? Not only is
it a heart shaped box, but it has an adorable motif as well. Two lovers (one reddish, one brownish – we
are not going to gender assign or stereotype here) adorn the top of the box,
separate but yearning to do whatever it is these lovers wish to do. If you could only help them, the universe
will reward them, and you, with its secrets.
Secret compartments, at any rate.
The Valentine’s Day box was the “Waku Waku” prize winner of the 7th
annual Karakuri Idea Contest, based on an original idea by Mineo Kumagai which
was brought to life by Miyamoto. “Waku
waku” translates roughly as the feeling of being happy or excited. I have to agree, this box is so cute, and
makes you happy.

A secret love ...

Now, what would be just the absolute, most perfect potion
pairing for this Valentine’s Day puzzle box?
I’ll spare you the suspense, since we’re all about the happy feelings
right now, and introduce you to this cocktail, created by Brad Farran and
featured in the Death and Company Modern Classic Cocktails book.

The Heart-shaped Box by Brad Farran

The
“Heart-shaped Box” is perfectly named and hits all the right notes for this
holiday. It’s built around cognac, which
is rather elegant, and sweetened with strawberry (naturally), elderflower
liqueur (how romantic) and cinnamon syrup (exotic, too). Lemon juice brightens the mix, but not enough
to let things go sour. Finally a little
secret ingredient, balsamic vinegar, really ties it all together in a
sophisticated manner, and elevates this drink from superficial flirtation to
complicated true love. I’ve even created
a little citrus cupid to go with the drink, made from lemon, lime and blood
orange peels, with a brandied cherry noggin. If that doesn’t make you smile, go
get yourself a hug, in a hurry. This Valentine’s Day, don’t be puzzled by love
– it’s not something you need to solve, anyway. Here’s a toast to the ones we
love – our friends, our family. Cheers!

Open your heart to these heart shaped boxes

Wine comes in at the mouth, and love comes in at the eye;
That's all we shall know for truth, before we grow old and die. I lift the
glass to my mouth, I look at you, and I sigh.

-William Butler Yeats

“Love looks not with the eyes, but with the mind, And therefore is winged Cupid painted blind”

Heart-shaped Box by Brad Farran

1 ripe strawberry

2 oz cognac

¾ oz elderflower liqueur

¾ oz lemon juice

¼ oz cinnamon syrup

½ tsp aged balsamic vinegar

1 dash Angostura bitters

Muddle the strawberry in a shaker tin, then add remaining
ingredients and shake with ice. Double strain into a favorite glass filled with
crushed ice and garnish with another strawberry. Drink as many as required to find true love.